monolatry

[ muh-nol-uh-tree ]

noun

1. the worship of only one god although other gods are recognized as existing.

monolatry

/ mɒˈnɒlətə; mɒˈnɒlətrɪ /

noun

1. the exclusive worship of one god without excluding the existence of others

Derived Forms

• moˈnolatrous, adjective
• monolater, noun

Other Words From

• mo·nol·a·ter [m, uh, -, nol, -, uh, -ter], mo·nola·trist noun
• mo·nola·trous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monolatry¹

First recorded in 1880–85; mono- + -latry

Example Sentences

The first precept of the Philonic scheme enjoins monolatry, the second expresses God’s spiritual and transcendental nature.

From Project Gutenberg

In ancestral sciotheism, and in this monolatry, the ethical code, often of a very high order, comes into closer relation with the theological creed.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus was established a monolatry which was practically monotheism, though a theory of absolute monotheism was never formulated by the pre-Christian Jews.

From Project Gutenberg

This is 'monolatry,' and 'the ethical code, often of a very high order, comes into closer relation with the theological creed,' why, we are not informed.

From Project Gutenberg

Exclusive monolatry is by no means innate in the cultus; it can only be deduced from considerations which are foreign to the nature of the cultus: it is the antitype of strict monotheism.

From Project Gutenberg